Martinez retires

VALENCIA: Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez retired on Saturday to end her 18-year singles career in tennis. Martinez, who won Wimbledon in 1994 when she defeated nine-time winner Martina Navratilova, said at a press conference at the Valencia Open that she may still play doubles. Martinez was the finalist at the 1998 Australian and the 2000 French Open. Between 1989 and 1998, she was ranked among the 10 best players in the world, reaching as high as No 2 in October 1995. —AP

Gough eyes comeback

LONDON: Darren Gough has insisted there is still time for him to bowl himself back into a place in England’s squad for next year’s World Cup in the Caribbean. Veteran paceman Gough, opted out of the one-day series in Pakistan and was consequetly not selected for the one-dayers in India. Gough hoped that he can add to his tally of 235 one-day international wickets. “I am hoping to stay fit and get back into the England one-day set-up,” said the 35-year-old former Yorkshire bowler. — AFP

Germany, Iran agree

BERLIN: German and Iranian authorities will cooperate over any possible threats to the Iran national soccer team at the World Cup, a senior German politician said on Saturday. Authorities are worried that Iranian opposition groups, with hundreds of members in Germany, might stage violent protests during the June 9-July 9 tournament. Iran’s first game is against Mexico in Nuremberg on June 11. — AP

Lynn maintains lead

BEIJING: England’s David Lynn fired a par 72 to hold onto a one-shot lead at the top of the China Open on Saturday. The overnight leader, Lynn needed his five birdies to offset his four bogies for a total of nine-under-par 207 after the third round. Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand held onto a piece of second place with a round of par. India’s Jeev Milkha Singh was level with Marksaeng after a round of five-under-par 67, lowest of the day. Defending champion Paul Casey carded two-under-par 70 to rise to joint-third alongside Spain’s Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (68). — AP